April 21, 2008, Woodstock, IL -- Other World Computing (OWC) http://www.macsales.com, a leading Mac and PC technology company, announced today in time for Earth Day 2008, that it has completed construction and moved into its new environmentally responsible “Green” corporate headquarters building, located in Woodstock, Illinois. 

Designed according to Platinum Level specifications of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program, the new OWC headquarters features Green design elements and materials, such as:

• Water savings
• Green materials selection
• Recycling and conservation
• Indoor environmental quality
• Energy efficiency

When all energy conservation elements are factored in, the new, much larger 37,000 square-foot building is expected to consume less energy resources than OWC’s previous 10,000 square-foot building.   For info on the building, see: http://www.macsales.com/LEED/map.html

On Track for LEED Gold Level - Striving for Platinum

LEED is a nationally accepted voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and conservation-minded structures.  The new OWC headquarters is on track to be certified at the Gold LEED Level.  In addition, the project’s intent is to achieve the highest and most rarely awarded status of Platinum LEED Level. There are only 130 commercial buildings in the entire U.S. with LEED Gold or Platinum certifications.

Other World Computing’s Corporate Headquarters building Green Features:

• Geo Thermal Ground-Coupled Heat Pump System with an anticipated 300% energy efficiency rating over conventional natural gas based systems.
• Fiber optic rooftop light-harvesting technology to augment office lighting with natural light.
• High insulation value glass windows and exterior sunshade technology to reduce energy needed for cooling.
• High insulation value materials throughout the building to reduce energy use.
• “Smart” building technology, including sensors to detect and adjust for unused rooms.
• Limestone substrate and permeable paving for environmentally friendly run-off water handling.
• Use of Bio Swales in landscaping to promote water conservation.
• Use of native plants and prairie grasses to maximize water conservation.
• Long-term, ongoing conservation practices, including extensive recycling, low-impact cleaning products, and facilities for employees to commute to work by bicycle.

• Water conservation via waterless urinals and dual-mode toilets. The use of the waterless urinals saves an average of 40,000 gallons per year per urinal.
• Use of locally supplied materials to reduce use of energy and resulting emissions by reducing transportation distances.
• Energy/paper savings through use of high-efficiency hand driers that actually work.
• Energy/environmental savings through installed water filtration system, eliminating the need for delivered water and reducing staff bottled water usage by providing better than bottled water quality tap water.

“Building to ‘Green’ standards is a common sense decision.  It’s essential to conserve energy and other resources as the technology and environmental awareness we have make it possible to do today.  It’s an incredible win-win for Other World Computing to take this next step with our state of the art facility, built not just with our own growth in mind, but to be environmentally responsible as well,” said OWC CEO, Larry O’Connor. 

OWC was recently recognized by Computerworld Magazine as one of the “Top Green-IT Companies for 2008” in itsFebruary 18, 2008 issue.

For more information on OWC’s new green building, see the OWC “Think Green” site at:  http://www.macsales.com/LEED/map.html. 

About Other World Computing (OWC)
Other World Computing (OWC) has been providing quality hardware products and support to the computer industry since 1988.  The Illinois based company operates the popular e-commerce portal www.MacSales.com, which features one of the largest online catalogs of computer and iPod enhancement products, including Mercury, Neptune, and NewerTech acceleration, storage, and FireWire® product lines.  

OWC is a Premiere Level Apple Developer Connection member and provides extensive technical support for Macintosh users around the world.  OWC is also a strategic partner with Axiotron and exclusive US distributor of the award winning Axiotron Modbook™.

OWC is the winner of numerous awards, including Computerworld Magazine’s Top Green-IT Companies for 2008 and the 2008 “Business Champion Award” from McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.  The company’s management umbrella includes leading Internet Service Providers www.fastermac.net and www.owc.net and is the leading technology employer as ranked by the McHenry County Business Journal.  For more information, see www.otherworldcomputing.com or www.macsales.com.

Photo:  Other World Computing “Green” Building:  http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/otherworldcomputingnewgreen.html

Release:  http://www.thomas-pr.com/pressreleases/otherworldcomputingearthrelease.html

Info:  Other World Computing “Green” Building: http://www.macsales.com/LEED/map.html  

Contact:
Karen Thomas
Thomas PR
(631) 549-7575
kthomas@thomas-pr.com
http://www.thomas-pr.com